Vukmir, Nicholson, & Hovde-supported tax plan sends 62% of cuts to richest 1%. Plan also hikes healthcare premiums by 10%, leaves 13M more uninsured.

MADISON - Right-wing state Senator Leah Vukmir, out-of-state billionaire puppet Kevin Nicholson, and D.C. hedge fund millionaire Eric Hovde are cheering on congressional Republicans as they force through big tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations and tax increases for middle class Wisconsin families.

• Right-wing state Senator Leah Vukmir cheered the Senate's passage of the GOP tax plan in her weekly news letter, calling it "Good news!"
• Out-of-state billionaire puppet Kevin Nicholson was equally enthusiastic about Senate Republicans voting to deliver big cuts to his megadonors at the expense of hardworking Wisconsinites, suggesting that he would've voted "yes" on the bill's final passage.
• Meanwhile, D.C. hedge fund millionaire Eric Hovde -- who has so little faith in his fellow Republicans Vukmir and Nicholson that he thinks he can just walk away with the GOP Senate nomination in 2018 -- is, according to WisPolitics.com, insisting that "Republicans passing the tax bill will be key for GOP prospects next fall and getting the overhaul signed into law would be an important factor in easing some of the headwinds Republican may face in 2018."

But for all the 2018 Senate field's cheering of the Senate GOP tax plan's passage, there's a reason Republicans hastily rushed the bill through in the dead of night: the #GOPTaxScam is a massive transfer of wealth to the richest Americans and corporations that's served up on the backs of working families, who'll face tax hikes, premium spikes, and Medicare cuts.

As passed, the Senate GOP tax plan bill championed by Leah Vukmir, Kevin Nicholson, and Eric Hovde would:

• Increase taxes on 48% of taxpayers by 2027;
• Gift the richest 1% reap 62% of tax cuts; and,
• Spike Americans' healthcare premiums by 10%, while leaving 13 million more people uninsured.

"Vukmir, Nicholson, and Hovde are cheering tax cuts for billionaires and corporations that are paid for by tax increases on nearly half of Americans, healthcare premiums spikes, and dangerous Medicare cuts," said Brad Bainum, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson for the 2018 Senate race. "This isn't a tax plan for working families, it's a Republican scam that triggers a massive transfer of wealth to corporations and billionaires at the expense of middle-class Americans."

Both follow top donors and supporters, national party in standing by alleged serial sexual predator.

MADISON -- The Republican National Committee (RNC) last night re-embraced alleged serial sexual predator and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore, resuming its official support and fundraising pipeline for Moore ahead of Alabama's December 12 special election. 

Are Wisconsin's GOP Senate candidates speaking out against the Republican Party's embrace of a virulent bigot who stands accused of sexually assaulting and harassing multiple women while they were children and he was a grown man?

Far from it. Both Leah Vukmir and Kevin Nicholson have failed to definitively reject Roy Moore while their biggest supporters and the Republican Party apparatus have continued to support him.

Nicholson has a financial incentive to stand by Moore -- Nicholson's biggest donor, Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein, is bankrolling Moore's super PAC, and another top out-of-state Nicholson backer, Steve Bannon, is a big Moore supporter, too. 

But that makes Vukmir's continued silence all the more bewildering, especially after Democrats last week called on Nicholson to reject Uihlein's support and return his $5,400 donation. 

Also silent, is D.C. hedge fund millionaire Eric Hovde, who claims he's looking at launching a U.S. Senate campaign and "not just sitting back," but has similarly lacked the conviction to speak out against his party supporting an accused pedophile.

Statement from Brad Bainum, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson for the 2018 Senate race:

"Now's the time for Leah Vukmir and Kevin Nicholson to cast politics aside, put Wisconsin principles over party and donor allegiances and reject Roy Moore's values. But they aren't; Vukmir and Nicholson are instead standing silently by the Republican Party as it supports and funds an alleged serial sexual predator with whom they hope to serve in the U.S. Senate." 

TIMELINE — Nicholson and Vukmir have failed to definitively reject Roy Moore while their biggest donors and supporters, and national party apparatus have continued to support him...

November 9, 2017

Headline: "Woman Says Roy Moore Initiated Sexual Encounter When She Was 14, He Was 32." [Washington Post, 11/9/17]

November 10, 2017

Nicholson: "If The Allegations Are True, Then Roy Moore Should Step Aside." “Most Wisconsin Republicans are following the lead of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and saying Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama should step aside if a report is true that he pursued teenage girls as an adult. […] ‘If the allegations are true, then Roy Moore should step aside,’ said a statement from businessman Kevin Nicholson. ‘Everyone should have the opportunity to respond to allegations, and the people of Alabama deserve to know the truth.’” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/10/17]

Vukmir: "...If The Allegations Are True, [Moore] Needs To Step Aside." "Most Wisconsin Republicans are following the lead of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and saying Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama should step aside if a report is true that he pursued teenage girls as an adult. […] A spokesman for Nicholson’s primary opponent, state Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Brookfield) issued a statement Thursday that said: ‘Senator Vukmir was troubled to hear the reports about Roy Moore today. She believes that, if the allegations are true, he needs to step aside so the people of Alabama can elect a conservative senator of integrity.’” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/10/17]

November 13, 2017

Headline: "Roy Moore Is Accused of Sexual Misconduct by a Fifth Woman." [New York Times, 11/13/17]

Headline: "Gov. Scott Walker: 'I Believe Roy Moore Should Step Aside.'" [AP, 11/13/17]

November 14, 2017

Headline: "Paul Ryan Says Moore Should 'Step Aside,' Allegations 'Are Credible.'" [CNN, 11/14/17]

Nicholson Said If He Lived In Alabama, He "Would Want Roy Moore To Move Out Of The Race." “Kevin Nicholson, meanwhile, stopped short of calling for Moore to end his campaign, but said that if he were an Alabama voter, he ‘would want Roy Moore to move out of the race.’” [Wisconsin Public Radio, 11/14/17]

Vukmir: The Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct Against Moore Were Credible And "Should Disqualify Anyone From Serving In Public Office." “The two Republicans running for Wisconsin's U.S. Senate seat sharpened their criticisms of Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore Tuesday, with Leah Vukmir saying the allegations of sexual misconduct against Moore were credible and ‘should disqualify anyone from serving in public office.’” [Wisconsin Public Radio, 11/14/17]

Vukmir Said If The Roy Moore Allegations Were True, Then Moore "Can't Serve." VUKMIR: "In terms of the Roy Moore story, if you look at the conduct that, if it indeed has happened, it is pretty despicable conduct. Then it’s hard for me to see him being elevated to the office of the United States Senate. We have a process to go through and I hope, [UNINTELLIGIBLE] If the allegations are indeed true, then he can’t serve. The people of his state are the ones that are going to be making that decision." [UW-Madison College GOP, 11/14/17]

November 15, 2017

Headline: "Bannon Sticking By Moore 'Through Thick And Thin.'" [Politico, 11/15/17]

November 16, 2017

Headline: "Roy Moore Attacks His Female Accusers As Critics Decry Intimidation." [Associated Press, 11/16/17]

November 27, 2017

Richard Uihlein, Who Was Single-Handedly Bankrolling Super PACs Supporting Nicholson, Was Also The Chief Financier Of A Pro-Roy Moore Super PAC. “The chief financier of a leading pro-Roy Moore super PAC is a deep-pocketed Republican businessman who dropped eight figures on 2016 races alone and is looking to continue propping up the party’s most conservative candidates.  Illinois businessman Richard Uihlein provided $100,000 to the group, Proven Conservatives PAC, since September, according to a new filing with the Federal Election Commission, making him by far the group’s top donor. […] Uihlein is single-handedly bankrolling a pair of super PACs supporting the Wisconsin Senate campaign of businessman and Marine veteran Kevin Nicholson. That spending has led Democrats in the state to accuse Uihlein of trying to buy the Senate seat for his preferred candidate.” [Daily Beast, 11/27/17]

November 28, 2017

Headline: "Bannon To Campaign With Roy Moore Next Week" [CNN, 11/29/17]

November 29, 2017

Headline: “Democrats Call On Republican Senate Candidate Nicholson To Reject Mega-Donor” [Associated Press, 11/29/17]

• • Democrats Called On Nicholson To Disavow Richard Uihlein Who Was Backing Him And Roy Moore. “The Wisconsin Democratic Party is calling on Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson to disavow a mega-GOP donor who is backing both his campaign and that of embattled Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.  A super PAC created to back Nicholson's candidacy has received at least $3.5 million from donor Richard Uihlein, the founder of Uline Corp. in Pleasant Prairie. Uihlein has also given $100,000 to a super PAC helping Moore in Alabama.” [Associated Press, 11/29/17]
  • Uihlein Donated $5,400 To Nicholson's Campaign. "GOP mega-donor Richard Uihlein has given $3.5 million to a group backing Nicholson and also made a $5,400 donation to Nicholson’s campaign." [Associated Press, 11/30/17]

November 30, 2017

Nicholson Spokesperson: "Kevin Has Forcefully Called On Roy Moore To Step Aside Already." "Democrats have been hammering Nicholson on the connection to Moore through Uihlein, even though Nicholson has said if he were a voter in Alabama he would want Moore to step aside. Nicholson has said that he’s 'honored and humbled' to have Uihlein’s support. Nicholson’s two campaign advisers also recently left, with plans to join the Uihlein-backed super PAC, furthering the ties between the two. Nicholson has not returned the money his campaign got or called on the Uihlein-funded super PAC, Solutions for Wisconsin, to take action. Nicholson spokesman Brandon Moody downplayed the connection to Uihlein. 'Democrats are living in fantasy-land because our campaign doesn’t control the actions of outside groups and Kevin has forcefully called on Roy Moore to step aside already,' Moody said in an emailed statement." [Associated Press, 11/30/17] Vukmir: "You Should Ask [Kevin Nicholson]" If He'll Return His Dick Uihlein's Money And Reject His Support. "What Roy Moore is certainly very concerning. And we're dealing with a lot of episodes all across -- and we're dealing with this in the legislature, across the country, and in Washington as well. If indeed -- I have said, if indeed the allegations are true then he needs to step out. But ultimately, this is an issue that I believe that people in Illinois -- in Alabama have to decide. I'm really focused in on what I'm trying to do here in Wisconsin. I'm going to let Kevin Nicholson run his campaign and decide what he needs to do. I'm going to be focused in on what I think is right for what I have to do. And that's a question that he's -- you should ask him." [Jefferson County GOP Pints and Politics Event, 11/30/17]

December 1, 2017

Nicholson Refused To Return Donations From The Roy Moore Backing Richard Uihlein Or Call On His Uihlein-Funded Super PAC To Take Action. “The divesting by Democrats stands in sharp contrast to Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson and Gov. Scott Walker who have been less willing to distance themselves from a prominent backer who is also supporting Moore. […] Democrats have been hammering Nicholson on the connection to Moore through Uihlein, even though Nicholson has said if he were a voter in Alabama he would want Moore to step aside. Nicholson has said that he’s ‘honored and humbled’ to have Uihlein’s support.  Nicholson’s two campaign advisers also recently left, with plans to join the Uihlein-backed super PAC, furthering the ties between the two.  ‘Richard Uihlein is underwriting a campaign to try to elect an accused pedophile to the United States Senate,’ said Scot Ross, director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. ‘Anyone associated with him and his campaign cash should be appalled and should immediately give the money back.’  Nicholson has not returned the money his campaign got or called on the Uihlein-funded super PAC, Solutions for Wisconsin, to take action. Nicholson spokesman Brandon Moody said Democrats are ‘living in fantasyland because our campaign doesn’t control the actions of outside groups and Kevin has forcefully called on Roy Moore to step aside already.’” [Associated Press, 12/1/17]

December 3, 2017

Headline: Majority Leader Mitch "McConnell Walks Back Roy Moore Criticisms: It’s Up to Alabama to Decide." [The Daily Beast, 12/3/17]

December 4, 2017

Headline: "Trump Formally Endorses Roy Moore Despite Sex Allegations Against The Alabama Senate Candidate." [CNBC.com, 12/4/17]

Headline: "Woman Shares New Evidence Of Relationship With Roy Moore When She Was 17." [Washington Post, 12/4/17]

Headline: "RNC to support Roy Moore in Senate race in Alabama, weeks after cutting ties with his campaign." [Washington Post, 12/4/17]

###

Largest Construction Union Says: “It’s Time for Change in Wisconsin.”

Today, Operating Engineers Local 139, the largest construction union in Wisconsin, announced their support for Mahlon Mitchell’s campaign for governor. Local 139 is the first labor union to announce their support in the race for governor.

“It's time for change in Wisconsin. That's why we are supporting Mahlon Mitchell for governor,” Local 139 President Terry McGowan said. “Mahlon has stood up for the working men and women across Wisconsin when we needed it most. He knows that we can't move forward as a state if our workers and families fall behind other states. And he understands that we need to put Wisconsin back to work- whether it's on our schools or our roads.

“We can create an economy right here with good jobs--jobs can sustain our families and rebuild our state. But it requires all hands working. That's why we are proud to stand with Mahlon Mitchell in this campaign. We need his perspective and his leadership more than ever."

Mitchell, a 20-year fire fighter who heads the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin thanked Local 139 for their support, saying:

“When I decided to run for governor, I knew we'd need all hands working. And that's what this endorsement from the Operating Engineers represents. They share my vision for building the most skilled workforce in the country, and creating good-paying jobs by getting to work on our 49^th-in-the-nation roads. It’s time for change in Wisconsin and I’m proud to be standing with the Operating Engineers in this fight.”

Most IUOE Local 139 members are heavy equipment operators working in the construction industry who run everything from tower cranes to forklifts. The local also represents a number of public sector employees in various towns, villages, cities, and counties.

About Mahlon Mitchell:

Mahlon Mitchell was born in Milwaukee and grew up in Delavan, Wisconsin. He now lives with his wife, April and two children, Sie’anna and Karson, in Fitchburg.

Mahlon followed in his older brother’s footsteps when he became a fire fighter in Madison twenty years ago. His two brothers are fire fighters in Atlanta and St. Paul. These careers came out of a family that instilled values of service and working for others.

This sense of service is also exemplified in Mahlon’s other activities. He was a counselor at the Wisconsin Alliance for Fire Safety’s Burn Camp, which he also directed for five years. This summer camp worked with burn-injured youth to help them cope with their unique situation and build a network of support.

Mahlon also worked as a street outreach coordinator with Briarpatch and Youth Services of Southern Wisconsin, where he linked at-risk youth with services from their community.

Recently, Mahlon was instrumental to passing two pieces of legislation that were a huge victory for fire fighters across the state. The Infectious Disease Presumption fought to make sure fire fighters are covered if they contract a disease or disability on the job. Additionally, the legislature passed a bill that ensures families and spouses of fire fighters who die in the line of duty will have their health insurance premiums covered.

When the fight over collective bargaining began in 2011, Mahlon led the fire fighters in a monumental stand of solidarity with other public servants. Despite being exempted from the bill, Mahlon and his fellow fire fighters marched on the Capitol with fellow working families that were threatened by the Budget Repair Bill.

Mahlon took the opportunity to travel the state as a fire fighter spreading the words about Scott Walker’s divisive policies.

In addition to his service in the community, Mahlon was a real estate agent for six years at First Weber in Madison. He currently serves as President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin, being the youngest and first African American to serve in the post.

Eileen Newcomer and Ellen Penwell join the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin.

MADISON - We are thrilled to welcome two new staff members to the LWV State Office this fall.

Eileen Newcomer joined our staff in November as Voter Education Coordinator. Eileen comes with a strong background in nonprofit work and a keen commitment to free, fair and accessible elections in Wisconsin. She will be leading our VOTE411.org voter guide and election observation programs.

Eileen says, “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to join the amazing team at the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin and be a part of moving the League’s work forward as Voter Education Coordinator. Voting is such a powerful form of civic engagement. It’s how “we the people” share our voice and make real, lasting change happen. I’m excited to be able to contribute to the League and our state and do my part to encourage informed participation in our electoral system.”

In October Ellen Penwell joined the staff as our Membership and Event Coordinator. Ellen's experience and leadership with the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area give her a knowledgeable perspective for this new position at the state office.

Ellen says of her new position, "I’m very excited to begin working on productive and creative ways to enhance the League’s membership throughout the state. Working together with local Leagues, I believe we can explore innovative ways to increase and diversify League membership and nurture new leaders along the way."

Together with Erin Grunze as our incoming Executive Director, we look forward to empowering more voters and providing more support to our local Leagues in the 2018 election year!

Thank you to our League members and friends for giving of your time, talent and treasure to safeguarding democracy. If you contributed to the League on Giving Tuesday, a special thanks!

Flynn slams Republican inaction on lowering the cost of student loans

GREEN BAY – Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Matt Flynn today unveiled his proposal to fix the student loan crisis at an event at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.

Flynn said, "Banks, abetted by their Republican cohorts in the Legislature, are profiting at the expense of our students."

"When student loan programs began, the federal government loaned money directly to students, or bank loans were part of a federally-regulated and subsidized system," Flynn continued. "The program was designed to allow students to focus on their education and to graduate with a degree in a timely manner. They were not meant to enrich banks. As the program became more privatized, this changed."

"Today, most student loans have interest rates well above the current cost of money. Refinancing is limited; usually only once, and only within a certain interest rate range based on the rate at the time of first loan origination. Large monthly payments force many to forego buying homes, purchasing new automobiles, or starting a family. Student loan debt in Wisconsin is estimated to be $24 billion. The state ranks 10th in the nation for the number of college students with debt (800,000)."

Flynn's Solutions to the Student Debt Crisis:

1. Pass legislation that allows borrowers to refinance their student loan debt when rates drop.
2. Establish the Wisconsin Student Loan Authority.

"I propose the formation of a Wisconsin Student Loan Authority to regulate and guarantee student loans at Wisconsin colleges and universities and to promote the re-financing of student loan debt when interest rates go down," said Flynn. "It will include loan repayment options that are a percentage of a student’s post-education income instead of a fixed amount that exhausts take home pay at entry-level jobs. This authority will be based on the best practices of existing student loan authorities around the country."

"Student loans don’t need to be as complicated as they are now, and banks don’t need to be in control of the lending process. We need to return to what worked best for students, not for the banks. Loans should be extended by banks but guaranteed and regulated by the government. We will expect banks to charge an interest rate that reflects the safety of a loan that is guaranteed by the government."

Student loans should help students graduate faster and start earning earlier. Currently, students are discouraged from this course by the unnecessarily high cost of borrowing. Flynn’s proposal enables the former and fixes the latter.

###

Matt Flynn is a Navy veteran, attorney, and former Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. He attended law school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

For additional information, visit www.ForwardWithFlynn.com.

Roy Moore backer Dick Uihlein has bankrolled Kevin Nicholson's campaign and outside groups with more than $15 million; and Uihlein-funded Club for Growth has brought in more than 28% of Nicholson's fundraising to-date.

MADISON -- The Democratic Party of Wisconsin today called on GOP Senate candidate and out-of-state billionaire puppet Kevin Nicholson to immediately cut ties with and reject the financial backing of his most prolific megadonor, Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein, who has poured millions into supporting Nicholson's campaign and funding the numerous out-of-state special interest groups boosting his candidacy, while also secretly funding bigot and alleged sexual predator Roy Moore's Senate run in Alabama.

Moore stands accused of sexual assault and harassment by numerous, credible women who have bravely come forward to say that Moore pursued relationships with them when he was an adult and they were in their young teens. The allegations against Moore are so damning that twenty-five Republican Senators have now disavowed Moore's candidacy. Nevertheless, Uihlein has continued to support and finance Moore's super PAC, while Nicholson continues to tout Uihlein’s support and “friendship” on the campaign trail.

Uihlein has to-date funded at least seven Nicholson-supporting organizations with $15 million, and he is the sole funder of Solutions for Wisconsin, a pro-Nicholson super PAC to which Uihlein has to-date donated at least $3.5 million. Just yesterday, it was announced that two key Nicholson campaign aides are transitioning to the Uihlein-funded Solutions for Wisconsin.

Nicholson, for his part, continues to praise Uihlein on the campaign trail. Earlier this month, he called Uihlein and Uihlein-funded corporate special interest group Club for Growth (which bundled over 28% of Nicholson's Q3 fundraising) "the kind of friends you want." And in March of this year, Nicholson gushed that he was "honored and humbled" to have Uihlein's support (and that of his super PAC Solutions for Wisconsin).

“Wisconsinites don’t want any “solutions” that involve an out-of-state billionaire-controlled candidate like Kevin Nicholson who has decided to accept Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein’s support and millions and align himself with Roy Moore and his values,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning. “Kevin Nicholson needs to tell Wisconsinites why he's accepting millions from Roy Moore’s biggest financial supporter and turning his back on Wisconsin values."

Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein has given $100,000 in support of Moore -- and over $15 million to 7 groups supporting Kevin Nicholson. Nicholson's campaign is currently running ads promoting his support from another prolific Roy Moore defender, Steve Bannon.

MADISON -- A new bombshell report from The Daily Beast reveals that out-of-state billionaire puppet Kevin Nicholson's biggest backer, Illinois CEO Dick Uihlein, has similarly been secretly bankrolling Alabama Senate candidate and alleged serial sexual predator Roy Moore. 

A billionaire from Illinois, Uihlein has to-date deployed at least $15 million across 7 groups that have lined up to support Kevin Nicholson's candidacy. Uihlein has invested over $3.5 million alone in Solutions for Wisconsin, a group solely dedicated to electing Nicholson.

Brad Bainum, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson for the 2018 Senate race, issued the following statement on the latest high-profile Kevin Nicholson supporter backing Roy Moore:

"The same out-of-state billionaire who's funneling money into alleged serial sexual predator Roy Moore's candidacy in Alabama is also pouring millions into buying Kevin Nicholson a U.S. Senate seat here in Wisconsin. Wisconsinites should be concerned that Nicholson is in joint company with Roy Moore. And they should be worried that Kevin Nicholson is totally controlled by an out-of-state billionaire backer who's only qualification for picking candidates to bankroll is that they promise to help him get rich at the expense of working families.

"We also now know why Kevin Nicholson waited so long to only half-heartedly distance himself from Roy Moore: it wasn't just Nicholson's out-of-state boss Steve Bannon pressuring him to support Moore -- Nicholson's top backer, Illinois CEO Dick Uihlein, is funding Moore's candidacy, too."

Wisconsin Governor to be featured at Turning Point USA at its Student Action Summit in December.

MADISON -- Gov. Scott Walker is a confirmed speaker for the controversial, far-right group Turning Point USA at its Student Action Summit in December, alongside noted conspiracy theorists, fake news propagators and white supremacists.

Walker, who has spent much of his second term neglecting Wisconsin while making a bid for the national conservative spotlight, will be appearing alongside a controversial slate of speakers that has been announced to include Steve Bannon, Sebastian Gorka, Dinesh D’Souza, Joe Walsh and Donald Trump Jr.

The following is a statement from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning on his choice to be featured at this controversial event taking place in Florida next month, Dec. 19 - 22.

“It is shocking to most Wisconsinites how much time Gov. Scott Walker spends outside of our state promoting people and groups whose values are in direct conflict with everything Wisconsin stands for: fairness, opportunity, community and responsibility.

"Instead of addressing Wisconsin’s needs, Walker is raising money and rallying Tea Party crowds, sharing events with white supremacists, advocates of political violence, fake-news conspiracy theorists and ring-wing extremists. Walker should be honest about his role at these national events because it is a far cry from the act he puts on in his carefully orchestrated, invitation-only Wisconsin appearances."

Nonpartisan group reports on current issues.

MADISON - Congratulations to the League of Women Voters of Sheboygan County, which recently received full recognition as a League! Go to their Facebook page to see recent and upcoming events for this dynamic group.

If you contacted your state legislators about bills the League was following in the November legislative floor sessions, thank you! Here is a roundup of what happened to the bills and what the next step, if any, is for each proposal. And thanks to our intern Eliana Locke for preparing this resource.

After suffering a 28% staffing reduction in the state budget, the Wisconsin Elections Commission will consider a proposal on Monday to ask the legislature for funding for three positions devoted to election cybersecurity and voter education. Read the League's statement of support.

Special elections have been scheduled to fill vacancies in 3 legislative districts:

• Senate District 10 (parts of Burnett, Polk, St. Croix, Pierce and Dunn counties)
• Assembly District 66 (within the City of Racine)
• Assembly District 58 (within Washington County).

If there is a Primary Election for any of these districts, it will take place December 19. The final Election will be on January 16. For more details, click here and scroll down to the Special Election announcements in the center column. In each announcement, you can click on “attachments” for a list of candidates and more information.

Mega rich behind dark money ads in Senate race would gain. Nicholson donor Dick Uihlein could save up to $340,000,000; Vukmir donor Diane Hendricks would get a $867,000,000 cut.

MADISON - Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its Leah Vukmir and Kevin Nicholson-endorsed version of the #GOPTaxScam that would increase taxes on millions on middle-class families -- nearly half of middle-class families, to be exact -- while slashing corporate tax rates and taxes for the richest Americans.

Among other things, the House GOP tax plan completely eliminates the estate tax -- the tax that's levied on "property (cash, real estate, stock, or other assets) transferred from deceased persons to their heirs," but only where the property value exceeds $5.49 million per individual. The estate tax simply doesn't impact most Americans -- and eliminating it only benefits the super-wealthy, like Kevin Nicholson and Leah Vukmir's megadonors (take it from a Wisconsin farmer). 

Here's a look at how Kevin Nicholson and Leah Vukmir's respective billionaire donors would be rewarded by the House GOP bill's elimination of the estate tax (assuming they would at-present be taxed at the 17% effective rate):

• Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein has already invested a whopping $15 million in groups backing out-of-state billionaire puppet Kevin Nicholson, but that's just a drop in the bucket compared to the benefits Uihlein would reap under the tax cuts Nicholson wants to gift Uihlein in return:
  
  Estimated Net Worth: $700,000,000 - $2,000,000,000
  Estimated Cut From Estate Tax Repeal: $119,000,000 - $340,000,000
• Wisconsin billionaire Diane Hendricks is campaign finance co-chair for right-wing state Senator Leah Vukmir, who reportedly kicked off her campaign with "a private audience with [the] influential billionaire." We don't know everything Vukmir has promised Hendricks, but is there any way tax cuts for the wealthy weren't discussed? Here's how Hendricks would benefit from the estate tax repeal Vukmir is calling for:
  
  Estimated Net Worth: $5,100,000,000
  Estimated Cut From Estate Tax Repeal: $867,000,000

"Kevin Nicholson and Leah Vukmir are calling for a massive transfer of wealth to their biggest donors, and they want hardworking Wisconsinites to pay for it," said Brad Bainum, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson for the 2018 Senate race. "It's clear what's happening here: Nicholson and Vukmir aren't looking out for Wisconsin working families -- their only concern is rewarding their corporate special interest big donors."